davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
CHINA'S GREAT WALL.
How an Outside Barbarian Looks at
 the Structure.

General J. H. Wilson reports the where he examined it, though ruinous thirty feet high, fifteen to twenty feet thick, and rivetted outside and in with cut granite masonry laid in regular courses with an excellent mortar of lime and sand. It is surrounded by n para pet or battlement of gray burned brick, eighteen or twenty inches thick, covered with moss, and pierced with crenelated openings for the defenders, whether archers or matchlock men, to fire through. The rear or inner wall is also furnished with lower parapet, but it is not crenelated. The top is paved with a double layer of brick about foot square. The inside of the wall is made of earth and loose stone, well rammed in. Every two or three hundred yards there is a fanking turret thirtytive or forty feet high. projecting beyond and overlooking the face of the wall in both directions, and near each turret IS stone staircase leading down between the walls to a door opening upon the ground in the rear The most astonish ing thing about 1t is, however, that 1t climbs straight up the steepest and most rugged mountain sides, courses along their summits, descends into gorges and ravines, and, rising again, skirts the face of almost inaccessible crags, crosses rivers, valleys and plains in endless suc- cession from one end of the Empire to the other-from the seashore on the Gulf Of Pe-Chee-Lee to the desert wastes of Turkestan. No spot is left unguarded or uncovered, and no matter how fierce and active were the wild tribes men who assailed it, or how innumera- ble were their armies, it Is evident that it could, if we'll defended, defy the world up to the day of gunpowder and artil lery. Indeed, it is almost impossible to conceive of its capture, except through treachery or great neglect on the part, of those whose duty it should be to de- fend it. It is laid out in total defiance of the rules of military engineering, and yet the walls are so solid and inaccessi- ble, and the gates so we'll arranged and defended, that it would puzzle a modern army with first-class siege train to get through it, if any. effort whatever was made for its defense"
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
MILES OF ROPE NEEDED.
New York City Hotel Proprietors
 and tho New Law.

The State law which m ikes it misdemean- or for hotel proprietors to neglect to place rope or other fire escape convenient to each room above the ground floor will involve, it is estimated, the purchase of $50 miles of rope and total expense of many thousands of dol lars in New York city. It cost the Stewart es- tate $500 to equip the Grand Union Hotel at Saratoga, but hotels of ordinary size ought to be fit q mp for an average of S5O).
 The Astor House is to be fitted with rope es- capes according to the law. The Park-avenuo, being fire-proof, is exempt. Manager John M Ott also runs tho Metropolitan and Colonnadc, in the city and the Grand U. ion and Windsor, at Saratoga. The rope has been introduced in all four. One end of the rope is spliced to a galvanized iron eye screw, which is fastened to the windowfraiue above the sill. Six or eight coils of rope, each weighing 900 pounds, were required for the Metropolitan This hotel is also provide d with fire buckets ard hand grenades. The New-Yorll and Grand Central Hotels are not vet equipped. The St. Denis has disposed or $500 feet of rope, al- though half the rooms oren on fire escapes. This house is equipped with fire hose, extin- guishers, and hand grenades, and tho ropes in the rooms are fastened to floor beams.
 Tho proprietor of the Morton House has given orders to put the rope escape in 2l5 rooms. The Ashland House job has been com pleted, and an order has been given to equip tbe Hotel Dam and the Union Square Hotel. Riggers are at work on the Everett and Bar tholdi. The St. James, Fifth Avenue, Gilsey, Grand and Windsor are alb ut to comply with the law. Tho Grand Union Hotel has six miles of rope and eight lines of iron fire es- capes. It is believed that every hotel in the city will be fitted out by the middle of Sep- tember.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
A BREAK FOR LIBERTY.
Two Convicts Escape to the U. g. in
 a Steam Yacht.

The thrilling announcement came over the telephone wires to Kingston, Ont, that about thirty convicts serving sentences in the prov ncial renitentiary had escaped from the in stitution to the lake in yacht owned by War den Lavelle. Much excitement prevailed, but soon quieted down when 1t was learned that only two prisoners had escaped in the War den's yacht. They were named Kelly and Scoon, aud were to be released in the course Warden Laveile and other officials rad been cruising about the lake. Kelly acted as engi- neer, Scoon as fireman.
 About 5 o'clock the yacht drew alongside the wharf, and the convicts preterded to tic her up while the officers stepped up the wharf. Suddenly the craft shot out from her moorings, and under full head of steam made for the lake. The officers were amazed for moment, and, speedily grasping the situ- ation, drew carbines to their shoulders and fired on tho fleeing convicts. Then the guards on the wall followed suit, and for time the roar of musketry vas heard. Just then 8 small skiff got near to the yacht, and for fear of kill ing innocent men firing had to be stopped. The convicts during the fusillade had laid down in the bottom of the craft behind the boiler, and thus were saved
 Before any other steamer could be secure to pursue the yacht, the convicts had worked up to the four-mile point, and were heading for the American side, only dozen miles away. The yachts Ripple and Juniata. with officers, were sent in hot pursuit, followed by the steamer Hiram Calvin, which cut through Botteau Channel to head off the craft before was in vain, however, and the men escaped. Kelly was from Welland and had two years to serve, and Scoon was under ten years sen- tencc, but had served the most of it.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
TO SUCCEED PROT. BAIRD.
Prof c. Brown Goode is Appointed
 Fish Commissioner.

Tho appointment of Prof. G. Brown Goode, the present Assistant Secretary of the Smith sonian Institution, as Commissioner of Fish aud Fisheries, is announced. Prof. Goode was born in New-Alhany, Ind, in 1851, and consequently is $ years of age. He was ed- ucated at the Wesleyan University, at Middle ton, Conn. While a student there he took an active interest in tho development of a mu- scum of natural history, and after his gradu- ation he was employed by the college to pur sue ichthyological investigations He served an apprenticeship of several years in the Smithsonian Institution, without pay, in con- tinuation of the fishery studies to which his mind was bent. Some reference to his later services has been made, but the half has not been told. There have already issued from the Government press, prepared by his pon, two portly quarto volumes on the fisheries and fish ing industries of the United States, one con- taining S95 pages of descrptiv,. matter, and the other 277 descriptive plates. These are being followed by other works, in course of preparation, descriptive of all the verte- brate and invertebrate fishing industries on the American coast, taking in Alaska and tho lakes, which will make seven or eight volumes more. The Scribne have published folio edition of ~The Game Fishes of the United States," written by him, illustrated with col- ored plates. Whom the representatives of the United States entered the Fisheries Exhibi- tion in London, in 1883, the first prominent objects that met them were these colorcd plates of Prof. Goodes elaborately framed and mounted. After an address delivered be- fore that exhibition by MT. Goode, Prof Hux- ley rose and said: ssrhe great moral O the United States contribution to this exhibition and especially of the contribution which Mr.
 Brown Goode has just made to the con- ences, was that if this country or any society which could be formed of sufficient extent to take up the question was going to deal seri- ously with the fisheries and not let them take care of themselves, as they had done for the last thousand years or so, they had very considerable job before them, for he did not think, speaking with all respect to tho efforts made by Sweden, Germany, Holland and so forth, that any nation at the present time had comprehended the question of dealing with fish in so thorough, excellent. and scientific spirit as that of the United States"
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
A HUGE MONOPOLY
Many Express Companies to Join in
 Big Trust.

The United States Express Company have purchased all the rights and franchises of the Baltimore and Ohio Express under contract for 30 years and will take possession Sept. Of- ficers and agents of the Baltimore and Ohio Express will continue in the discharge of their present duties and report to the same officers as heretofore. The sale includes, first and most important, the good will, and second. the plant and working ap- pliances, including teams, wagons, fix lures, etc, with all thc company's franchises and interest in the business. The Baltimore anl Ohio Express Company has customers in Chicago whose bills average over A30,00O a year each. Probably the most important branch of the business letwcen Chicago and the East was the oyster trade from Baltimore, the Baltimore and Ohio having almost q mon- opoly in this line. The United States Com. pany, one of the Baltimore and Ohio olficial3 estimates, will make at least $500, ,0)0 year out of the purchase.
 It is reported that the result of the pur- chase of the Baltimore and Ohio Express by the United States Express Company will be the formation of an express trust. or some thing tantamount thereto, between tho three great express corporations-theA American, tho Adams and the United States. Now that the Baltimore and Ohio has been captured, the only guerrilla rival is the Erie, and those on the inside say that they believe that the pur- chase of the Erie by one of the big companies is only question of few days, although it may not be made public.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
The Grave of Mrs. Surratt.

Strange as it may sound, one may ask a dozen people in Washington anyhow, where Mrs. Surratt was buried and be told they shave really forgottten," or "never knew" Vague reports have fitted through the press at the time that her remains were lying in the Pot ter's t'ield, or that they were given to a medical college, Not half the people in Washington know what disposition was made of them when the old arsenal grounds were remodeled and the bodies taken away. Finding that the bodies of Wirz and Mrs. Surratt were inferred in Mount Olivet, your correspondent went out to the home of the dead and visited the noted graves, about which there has been so much wild specula- tion. The sexton met the inquiry for the grave of Mrs. Surratt with very significant smile, which he explained as follows:
 "The curiosity to see her grave would have kept guide busy all the time for the first few years after she was buried here," said he "We could not spend time to show people the grave, so we used to direct them as well as we could and let thom find it for themselves. There is one curious thing, though. No one who had said anything about it in print has been able to tell the truth"
 Taking the main road. the lot con- taining the remains of Mrs. Su1ratt was reached, lying near and facing the ex- treme eastern boundary of the cemetery. It is the very last TOW of lots on that side of the grounds. The lot was don ated by friend, and is large, we'll laid out lot, containing the one neglect ed grave Some time ago a man was erecting a monument on this lot, and an old discarded stone that was taken down he wondered what he should do with. Finally an idea occurred to him to s'do- nate it to Mrs. Surratt." It was accord ingly set up at her grave as a headstone, the original name was cut off, and
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
MIR. DOANE's IMPRISONMENT.
Brutal Treatment by the Governor
 of tho Caroline Islands.

Fresh news by mail from the Caroline Islands received in Boston by the Rev. Dr. Smith, Secretary of tho American Board, throws 8 peculiar light upon the character and spirit of the Spanish rulo just established there. Mir. Doane, whose Imprisonment by Spanish Government has been previously re- ported in cable despatches, has been & mis- sionary in Ponape, the principal island of the group, for thirty-three years, and has been prominent in revolutionizing the character of the people. The latest intelligence received by Dr. Smith is, in substance, as follows:
 The Spanish Governor came to Ponape last March with 50 soldiers, priests, and 25 con- yicts, and almost immediately began to en- MT. Doane's missionary work. NIT. Doane af- ter several intellectual interviews, sent to the Governor written protest complaining of this action and decribing 1t as arbitrary. The Governor took offence, arrested MT. Doane, and put him in close confinement on board of 8 Spanish man-of-war in the hsrbor. All tn is was within month after the arrival of the Spaniards. Three days afterward the Cover nor, without the form of a trial, sentenced Mir. Doane to fifteen days imprisonment because of his protest. At the end of the fifteen days the Governor informed Mir. Doane that he was to remain in confinement on other charges, but did not state what they were. For six weeks the Governor paid no attention to the inquiries of MT. Doane, or of his American associations on the is and, as to the cause of such treatment. Then he sent word to MT. Doane that within three days he was to be de- ported to Manila, 3 900 miles away, to be tried there, but gave him no opportunity to look af- ter his personal property on shore, to find wit nesses or confer with his associates.
 Dr. Smith, Tn an interview said: "It seems this is Spanish justice to an American citizen. Put this fact with other things that have hap pened since the Spaniards went to Ponapc, the closing of some of the churches, and of all but one of the fifteen or twenty schools on the is- land, the silencing of some of the native preachers, the stealing and abuse of native girls, the free flow of intoxicants, and we be- gin to see what the Spanish occupation of the Caroline Islands means for Christianity and civilization there."
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
THE FISHERIES DISPUTE. Both Countries to Try and Settle it
 by Arbitration.

At the State Department secret is no long CT made of the fact that the United States md Great Britain have agreed to try and settle the fisheries question by arbitration, and rep resentatives of the two countries will meet in Washington at an early day, Secretary Bayard says as soon as the weather becomes cool and pleasant. The Secretary takes very hopeful view of the situation, and in discussing the subject said that the point has been reached when it will soon be known what terms the two countries have to propose, and in the event of failure to agree the responsibility will be fixed where it properly belongs He says the e has been dispute between the two countries ever since the foundation of our Government, and even before that, growing out of the establishment of the boundary line between the United States and Canada It is true no blood has been shed, but >the feelings of the people on both sides of the dispu cd line have at times run high and only the most prudent and cautious handling of the ques- ton has prevented bloodshed. He says the United States is anxious that some definite conclusion should be reached in the matter and Great Britain also seems inclined the same way, as neither of the countries interest cd cares to disturb the friendly relations now existing between them
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
ACCUSING MAMMALIAN.
The Late Emperor Said to have
 Bascly Betrayed his Friends.

great sensation has been created at the City of Mexico by the publication of the sub- stance of report which Gen. Escobedo, to whom the Emperor Maximi'ian surrendered, has placed in the hands of the Government. The report says that in the hope of saving his life Maximilian betrayed his army and the city of Queretaro, in which his forces were be- sieged, into the hands of the Republicans. Here is an extract:
 sGcn. Escohedo was one day notified that one of Maximilians officers desired an inter- view with him. Escobedo instantly granted the interview, and Col. Miguel Lopez was in- troduced Lopez said he was commissioned by Maximiian to offer to deliver the garrison to Escobedo on the condition that the latter should allow Maximilian and his officers to de- part ummolested; that Maximilan had already signed his abdication, and that he would go straight to Vera Cruz or Tuxpan, where a ship would be in readiness to take him on board, and that he would engage himself, on his word of honor. to never again to meddle in the affairs of Mexico.
 "Gen. Escobedo replied that he could make no such terms. Finally, Lopez declared that he was authorized to make such terms with Escobedo as he could, and in the name of his chief he informed Escobedo that the Republi- can army might occupy the convent of La Cruz, which commanded the city, on the fol- lowing morning without encountering resist ance."
 The convent was accordingly occupied, and Maximilian was soon after prisoner.
 Later, the fallen emperor tried to induce Gen. Escobedo to keep the manner III which the surrender was made a profound Secret. He said he forcsaw his own end, and now his only care was to prevent any stain from light ing on the ilustrious house of Hapsburg, of which he was scion, and that if Escobedo could not make an unconditional promise, he entreated that he would not reveal the truth until after tha death of the Empress Carlotta. Escobedo made tho promise on condition that he should consider himself released therefrom if at any time it seemed imperative for him to speak.
 Escobedo now makes the revelations to vindicatc Lopez, whom the Clerical party has been accusing of betraying the Emperor.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
Medical Humcr.

Tho celebrated French physician, Ricord, was one day walking along the Boulevard in Paris, when he met an old gentleman who was very rich, but who was at the same time noted for his ex- treme stinginess. The old man, who was somewhat of a hypochondriac, inn agined that he could get some medical advice from Ricord without paying for it..
 "Doctor, am feeling very poorly"
 "Wherc do you suffer most!"
 ''In my stomach, doctor
 'sAh, that's bad. Please shut your eyes. That's right. Now put out your tongue, so can examine 1t closely"
 The invalid did as he was told. After he had waited patiently for about ten minutes, he opened his eyes, and found himself surrounded by crowd, who supposed that he was crazy. Dr. Ric- ord, in tho meantime. had disappeared
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
Tho Coming Yacht Race,

The trial races, between the Volunteer and Mayhower, will be-
 First Racc-Tuesday, September 13, at 10 a. m., over the inside course of tho New York Yacht Club
 Second Race-Thursday, September 15, at 103O a. n., twenty miles to windward or lee warl and retu n from Scotland Lightship.
 Third Race-Saturday September 17, at 1o:3O a. m, triangular outside course, starting if III Scotland Lightslip.
 And the races between tho winner and the Thistle will be as follows:
 First Racc-Tucsday, September 27 at 10 a. m. over the inside course of tho New York Yacht c ub.
 Second Racc-Thu sdav, September 29, at 10:30 a. m., twenty miles to windward or lee ward and return from Scotland or Sandy Hook Ligh ship, as will be determined on the morn ing of the race.
 Third Racc-Saturtlay, October l. at 10:3O a. m, triangular course of forty miles, sta: t. ing at $ ,otland Lightship.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
Southern Farmers HaDpy

The corn crop of the South is unpreceient, edly @ 1 1la1se, exceeding the yield of 1886 by over 5O,0OO, GOO bushels, the yield of 1885 by 70 0OO, 900 bushels, and the yield of 1884 by 1O7.- COG, 900 bushels: The South will this year, it IS said, be nearly self-supporting in the mat ter of corn, and many millions of dollars that season be saved to Southern farmers While recent unfavorable -eath,r has damaged to some extent the cotton prospects, which month ago promised such an enormous yield, the crop will still be large one. Advanced prices for tobacco will, it is claimed, counter balance to the farmers the decrease in yield, due mainly to decreased acreage. Other crops have, with few exceptions been very good, and 1t Is said that the farmers will enjoy greater prosperity than for many seasons Business prospects are reported brighter than ever be- fore, and one correspondent pl cdicts that this will be noted as debt-paying year.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
The Anarchists Likely to Hane

A Chicago paper says: 'As the time ap- breaches for the convening of the Supreme Court in Ottawa public interest begins once more to be concentrated on the Anarchist case, and opinions are freely exchanged as to the probable fate of the seven men who have had the sentence of death hanging over them for 8 year. The opinion most held is that tre sentence of the Court which tried the case will be affirmed, and that the Sheriff will be order ed to proceed with the execution of the con- demned men. This opinion is based on the fact that the Supreme Judges have delayed so long in filing their decision. Their usual cus- tom, when they reverse 8 remand case, is to file their opinion at the earliest possi ble mo- ment, SO that the States Attorney may have as little trouble as possible in getting his wit nesses together again and going on with the new trial n
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
A Base Ball Law Suit.

At Philadelphia, John Greenig secured judgment against the Indianapolis Base Ball Club for $46. 40. The club claimed that Greenig was taken on trial and proved incom- petent and was released. While the club vas In Boston last June Greenig was notified that he had been engaged at 8 salary of SITS per month, the club to pay his expenses from Philadelphia to Boston and allow him S1OO advance money. He was then ordered to re- port at the Bingham House, Philadelphia, June 26, which he did Two days after this and before he had played . game, he was re- leased. He brought suit to recover pay for eight days claiming he had been engaged on June 20 and discharged on the 2Sth. The lawyer for the club gave notice that an ap- peal would be taken.
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
The Vapor Stove Pool.

Representatives of the two vapor stove man. ufacturers in Albany, two in Chicago, two ill Detroit and two in St. Louis met the repre- sentatives of the seven Cleveland manufactur- CTS to complete the pool which was begun last July and called the Vapor Stove Manufacturing Association of the United States At the meet ing Mir. David A. Dangler, who is interested in the Standard Oil Company, proposed to the gentlemen present to consolidate on the plan of the Standard, having headquarters at Cleveland and doing the work among differ ent factories. He proposed capital stock of S1,5OO O)O, or So OO0, 900, the abolition of mid dle men, and the lowering of prices. Tho sales of stoves last year aggregated $2, COG, ,00O
Connecticut western news., 1887-09-07
THE EGIANT YACHTS.
A Race September 10 to Include All
 but the Thistle.

Members of the Larchmont Yacht Club have subscribed for 8 Sl COO cup to be sailed for by the giant sinSe stickers, including the cutter Galatea, on Saturday. over triangular course of forty miles in the Sound. The Volunteer, Mayflowcr, Galatea, Atlantic, and Priscilla have been entered for this race. The Puritan may also be in.
 The club will offer $500 prize to yachts of the second class, which will simultaneously sail over ,he same course. Tic Shamrock, Titania, Bcdouin, Huron, Stranger, Hide garle. and Thetis will engage in contest that may prove nearly es interesting as the battle